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Craig Hope has now revealed some insight into Eddie Howe’s brutal regime at Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Howe appointed

It has now been confirmed that Howe has been appointed as the next manager at the St. James’ Park faithful, replacing the departed Steve Bruce.

His first game in charge will be at home against Brentford in the Premier League after the international break, in what should be a cracking atmosphere as the North East club look to pick up their first win of the season.

The Latest: Howe’s regime

As per Hope, Howe’s first session on Tyneside was a brutal one, bellowing out intense commands to his squad, before watching the Under-11 team train:

“I’m told (the) overriding message was “we train as we play”. A lot of “match sharp”, “no jogging” & “if you think you’re maxed out, you’re not”.”

The Verdict: Good signs

The first objective of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium, before they can start thinking about splashing their cash, is first and foremost to make sure that the Magpies stay in the top flight.

They have a big battle on their hands to do so, currently sitting in 19th place on just five points, with no wins and being five points away from safety (Premier League).

Howe’s methods sound like they are designed to get the best out of his players, which is exactly what he needs in order to succeed.

He has the necessary experience of managing down the bottom end of the Premier League table with AFC Bournemouth, and survived five successive seasons with the Cherries in the top flight implementing his own style and regime (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, only time will tell whether his appointment would have been an inspired one from the new owners, but Howe is certainly not messing around in the early stages.

In other news, find out which ace with ‘technical qualities’ NUFC are eyeing here!

As per journalist Enzo Bucchioni, writing in his column for Firenze Viola, Tottenham Hotspur ‘would put’ €70 million (£58.8m) ‘on a plate’ to sign Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.

The Lowdown: Vlahovic races hots up…

The arrival of new boss Antonio Conte has seen Tottenham’s interest in Vlahovic escalate since managing director Fabio Paratici’s well-known admiration in the summer window.

Fiorentina’s star asset was on Spurs’ radar earlier this year as Paratici chased an alternative frontman to Harry Kane and his interest certainly hasn’t waned since then.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) believe a meeting has even been held in London with La Viola officials over signing the player with Bucchioni backing Tottenham’s interest as he shares an update.

The Latest: Spurs ‘would’ table £58.8m bid…

According to the reporter, writing for Firenze Viola, as also transcribed and shared by Sport Witness, Tottenham ‘would put’ a record-breaking £58.8m fee on the table to secure his services.

This comes as Serbian sources close to the player’s entourage believe it is unlikely he will pen fresh terms as Fiorentina club president Rocco Commisso comes in with a new contract offer.

Bucchioni believes this could lead to the Serie A side selling in January as Tottenham lurk, but despite what Spurs are willing to table to sign Vlahovic in the winter window, there is still ‘silence’ from his camp.

The Verdict: Exciting claim…

While Vlahovic’s entourage are yet to entertain Tottenham’s advances, we believe it is little surprise Paratici is willing to table such a big bid going by the player’s credentials.

Scoring 21 Serie A goals last season, the young striker has also continued that fine form into 2021/2022 with eight goals and one assist in just 12 Italian top flight starts already (WhoScored).

According to WhoScored, Vlahovic has also averaged a threatening 3.2 shots on goal per 90 so far this season – even more than Spurs superstars Son Heung-min and Harry Kane.

Lauded as a ‘really exciting’ player by Serie A expert Conor Clancy, we believe signing him for around £58.8m is a more-than justified expense for Paratici and Spurs.

In other news: ‘Understand’, ‘In recent weeks’…Alasdair Gold leaks exciting development out of Hotspur Way, find out more here.

Liverpool had no issue in keeping their unbeaten run in the Champions League going after last night’s 2-0 victory over FC Porto at Anfield.

Goals from Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah secured the win for Jurgen Klopp’s side in front of their home fans after convincingly beating Arsenal 4-0 at the weekend in their previous Premier League fixture.

However, one player that started in midweek that did not take the opportunity to shine with both hands was Takumi Minamino.

Despite playing the full 90 minutes of the game against the Portuguese club, Minamino only managed to have 33 touches of the ball, which was fewer than the 51 touches Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker had throughout the game.

In addition to this, Minamino failed to have much of an attacking impact as well, despite starting through the middle in between Salah and Sadio Mane.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-liverpool-news” title=”Check out the latest Liverpool news!”]

The Japan international failed to register even one shot at goal, only completed one of the two dribbles he attempted, make just 14 accurate passes and get caught offside on two occasions.

Minamino also managed to win just 35% of the 14 duels he was involved in and lose possession of the ball on nine occasions, ultimately earning himself a rather uninspiring overall match rating of 6.7/10, making him the lowest-rated Liverpool player that started the match according to SofaScore.

Given how Minamino scored in the 4-0 win against Arsenal after coming off the bench to replace Diogo Jota who picked up a knock to the knee against the Gunners, it’s easy to see why Klopp gave him the chance to shine from the start.

However, looking at his performance, it’s safe to say he didn’t fully use this opportunity to really stake a claim for a place in the team next time around for their upcoming Premier League clash against Southampton at the weekend.

With Roberto Firmino still out with a hamstring injury, it’s likely that Minamino will get the chance to prove himself again in the coming weeks and months for Liverpool and when he does, he will have to make sure he puts in a more assured performance than the one he delivered against Porto.

Otherwise, questions may start getting raised about his suitability to play a prominent attacking role in this team on a regular basis.

In other news: Edwards must avoid LFC catastrophe on £100k-p/w “wild animal”, Klopp would be furious – opinion

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard is set to receive significant backing in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to the Express & Star’s Luke Hatfield, with the journalist claiming in a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT that he expects Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens to provide the 41-year-old manager with substantial funds to invest in his playing squad at Villa Park this winter.

Speaking about Aston Villa’s potential January transfer business, Hatfield said: “He’ll get serious backing, Gerrard will. Villa’s owners don’t mess around in terms of transfer funds.”

Music to the ears of fans

Considering the fact that Aston Villa have already spent a rather substantial £89.84m on incoming transfers this season, there may well have been concerns amongst the Villa Park fanbase that Gerrard could be somewhat restricted with his budget in the winter market.

However, with the second city side still actually £24.46m in profit from their summer transfer business, something that is largely down to the £105.75m sale of Jack Grealish, there would indeed appear to be plenty in the bank for the former Liverpool captain to play with in January.

Furthermore, with Sawiris ranking fifth on a recent list of the Premier League’s most wealthy owners, with the Egyptian boasting a net worth of a whopping £5.3bn, should Gerrard feel it is necessary, it would also appear easy enough for the 41-year-old manager to go knocking on the owner’s door with his cap in hand for extra transfer funds, as Hatfield suggests.

So, while Villa are by no means home and dry in terms of Premier League survival just yet – with the club currently sitting in 15th place, four points above the relegation zone – the news that Gerrard looks set to receive something of a war chest this winter is sure to come as music to the ears of fans.

If they can secure the signings of a number of his targets, it would seem unlikely that Villa will be languishing in the bottom half of the table for much longer.

In other news: Lange must seal AVFC deal for £25m “weapon” likened to Beckham, Gerrard would love him

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ turnaround under their current head coach, Bruno Lage, has been quite incredible.

The Midlands club suffered a trio of defeats to mark the opening of the Portuguese’s reign as his appointment immediately looked like something of a mistake.

However, Wolves have banished nearly all of their demons from Nuno Santo’s mediocre final campaign in charge, as they sit firmly in contention for a Europa League spot.

They are more prominent in attack which has been aided by Raul Jimenez’s return and the arrival of Hwang Hee-Chan.

Sadly, one of the club’s lingering issues from 2020/21 is still very much plaguing them. That happens to be on the injury front where Pedro Neto, Jonny and Yerson Mosquera all remain long-term absentees at Molineux.

Lage confirmed on Tuesday that they will not return in December, but sadly the same eventually has befallen Willy Boly.

Wolves supporters have only caught one glimpse of the centre-back this term which came in the Carabao Cup.

Boly has felt the long-lasting impacts after previously testing positive for the ongoing pandemic and he has not been the same since.

The former Porto defender had appeared on the bench in the last few weeks but now fans will have to wait even longer to see him back in the Old Gold.

That’s because he’s been dealt a new late injury in the build-up to the Burnley clash. Unfortunately, it’s a setback that could keep him out until the New Year when he might head off to the Africa Cup of Nations, fitness depending.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Burnley, Lage revealed the news in a big blow that is likely to devastate him.

He said: “I believe, for sure, after this he’ll be back stronger, fit, to help us in the second half of the season. That’s what I want, for him — full energy to be fit to help us. Let’s see. He wants to come back as soon as possible, (and be) the Boly people know, the Boly who did very well here the past four years.”

The injury, at present, is unspecified but there is no denying how big a miss he continues to be.

If you can fault anything about Wolves this term, it’s their defence. With the likes of Boly, Mosquera, Jonny and Marcal all out, it has pillaged Lage of some pivotal options.

With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise to see that they’ve kept just four clean sheets in the league all season.

That record would surely be improved with Boly in the team, and thus, as Wolves continue to chase European football, that goal will become an even trickier one to achieve with him on the treatment table again.

The 30-year-old has been a colossal influence on the side since joining so Lage is likely to be gutted that he’s not had an opportunity to unleash him properly.

Once again, he’ll be left scrambling around to patch together his defence when Sean Dyche’s physically imposing side arrive in the Midlands.

AND in other news, Spiers drops behind the scenes Wolves update ahead of Burnley, fans will be buzzing…

Providing an update on West Ham United and their transfer plans for January, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has now shared news involving Liverpool striker Divock Origi.

The Lowdown: West Ham looking to January…

As recently confirmed by manager David Moyes, speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb, his Hammers side could be active in the winter window (Sky Sports).

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The Scotsman says that, as well as scouring for a new centre-half as emergency cover to the injured Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma, his side have been searching for a striker (Sky Sports).

There have been no shortage of links to new forwards already, including the likes of Andrea Belotti and Adam Hlozek most recently, with Ex now sharing what he knows on the West Ham Way Website.

The Latest: Insider makes Origi claim…

As per his information, West Ham could now ‘make a move’ to sign Origi in the upcoming transfer window – explaining it would ‘not be a surprise at all’ if the Irons swoop for his signature.

The 26-year-old, struggling for consistent game time at Liverpool, has also apparently been ‘very close’ to joining previously as Ex claims he may well be one to keep an eye on.

The Verdict: Good option?

Despite his lack of chances under Klopp, Origi has actually managed to turn it on this season when given the chance.

The Belgium international even scored a brilliant individual goal against West Ham at the London Stadium with Liverpool’s boss holding no shortage of praise for some of his exploits this season.

Klopp lauded the striker as a ‘really quick’ player and ‘monster’ in the air recently (The Mirror), and with Origi’s contract expiring in 2022, the Reds may feasibly be forced to sell for a cheaper rate in January.

Racking up a career tally of 63 senior goals, the 31-cap ace could actually come as an ideal back up striking option for Moyes and someone who can finally end West Ham’s year-long search for a Michail Antonio-alternative.

In other news: Moyes dealt worrying news as ‘another big injury blow’ comes out of West Ham, find out more here.

Leeds United have been handed a huge boost in their bid to keep Raphinha at Elland Road beyond the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Paul Gorst’s recent report for the Liverpool Echo, with the journalist stating that – despite Liverpool being believed to have scouted the winger on a number of occasions this season, as well as being heavily linked with a swoop for the former Rennes wizard – Jurgen Klopp’s side look unlikely to make a move for the 24-year-old in the winter market.

In his report, Gorst writes: “Leeds United’s Raphinha is another who club scouts are believed to be running the rule over, but a January move will almost certainly not be forthcoming.”

Bielsa will be buzzing

Considering just how important Raphinha has become to Leeds since his £17m move to Elland Road last summer, the news that Liverpool are not planning to launch an offensive for the Brazil international in January is sure to have left Bielsa buzzing.

Indeed, over his 30 Premier League appearances last term, the £34m-rated forward highly impressed for the Whites, bagging six goals, providing nine assists and creating 12 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking 2.2 shots and making 2.1 key passes per game.

These returns saw the player who Illan Meslier dubbed “unbelievable” and a “storm” earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.14, ranking him as Bielsa’s third-best performer in the league as the Brazilian played a crucial role in his team securing a remarkable ninth-placed finish on their return to the top flight.

With Leeds having struggled so far in the current campaign, Raphinha’s performances have been even more important for his manager, with the £58k-per-week winger scoring seven goals, registering one assist and creating four big chances over his 14 league outings – returns which have seen him average a SofaScore match rating of 7.16.

As such, the news that the Reds do not look as if they will make a move for the 24-year-old this winter will undoubtedly come as a major boost to Bielsa and his side, as retaining the services of the Brazil forward would very much appear to reduce the Whites’ chances of being pulled into a relegation scrap come the end of the season.

In other news: Leeds eyeing 20 y/o beast with “a little Luis Suarez about him”, fans will be excited

Newcastle United are interested in Lucas Digne, whose Everton future is very much in doubt.

That’s according to a report in The Sunday People (via Metro).

The lowdown

Digne’s frustrations with Rafael Benitez’s style of play culminated in a row with the manager ahead of Everton’s clash with Arsenal two weeks ago (via The Athletic). The Frenchman has been missing from Benitez’s last three matchday squads, although the 61-year-old did say that the left-back’s absence against Chelsea a few days ago was down to illness.

Everton have already lined up a potential replacement in the form of Dynamo Kyiv’s Vitaliy Mykolenko. Fabrizio Romano reported last week that the Ukrainian was undergoing a medical ahead of a January move which will cost up to €23m (£19.6m).

The latest

Newcastle are one of three Premier League sides named by The Sunday People (via Metro) as potential suitors for Digne.

The other clubs involved in this potential transfer battle are reigning Champions League holders Chelsea and Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City, who will compete in the Europa Conference League in the spring.

The verdict

Digne is valued at £31.5m by Transfermarkt and is under a £110,000-per-week contract Everton until June 2025, but they may be willing to compromise on the fee if Benitez looks set to move on.

What seems clear is that it could be a magnificent signing for Newcastle. According to data from a Dutch analytics firm, the 28-year-old is one of the top 10 left-backs in the world, while his former Toffees manager Marco Silva said in 2019 that the defender “has everything we expect from a professional football player”

If he is played in a system which he feels would suit him, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star can be an immense creative force, given his status as one of the leading assists providers among Premier League defenders. That quality could make a massive difference to a Newcastle team who have been struggling for goals.

In other news, Newcastle are also in the race to land one of Digne’s compatriots.

Reliable Aston Villa reporter Ashley Preece revealed on Thursday that winger Bertrand Traore is back training at Bodymoor Heath.

And, as to be expected, his update had a number of Villa fans talking on social media.

The 26-year-old is yet to feature under new boss Steven Gerrard after missing the last three months due to a thigh problem. It hasn’t been the best of years for Traore, who also had to have surgery on a groin issue over the summer.

However, he’s now back in training and has since been named in Burkina Faso’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which is scheduled to get underway next month.

Although his wait for an appearance under Gerrard may go on, plenty of Villa fans were buzzing at the news of the winger’s return days before the Boxing Day fixture with Chelsea.

Before his injury troubles the former Blues man was in fine form, registering seven league goals and six assists last season, so it’s no surprise to see supporters delighted by this news.

Villa fans react

This is what these fans had to say in reply after The AVFC Faithful shared Preece’s update on Twitter, with one labelling Traore as a ‘huge miss’.

“Early Xmas present”

Credit: @BillyWhiz

“I’m in tears. The Burkina Faso king returns”

Credit: @Jtavfc2000

“Thank god, huge miss”

Credit: @Davidomahony18

“Return of the king”

Credit: @PhilipKeenan12

“Suiiiiiii”

Credit: @AttwoodOlly

“GET IN BERT!!!!!”

Credit: @AvfcRegan

In other news: Lange makes Aston Villa enquiry to sign ‘top’ midfielder in January; club have already responded. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers will be back in action tonight as they travel to the North West to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford in their first fixture of 2022.

Bruno Lage’s side will have a challenge on their hands to break the five-game unbeaten run held by Ralf Rangnick since he took over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November.

Hwang Hee-Chan has been officially confirmed by the club to be out of the side until February, although there has been no precise date given on the winger’s return, it has opened up an opportunity for Barcelona loanee, Francisco Trincao to make his mark on the team and put in a performance to seal a starting position in the team moving forward into the second half of the season.

Unlike his South Korean teammate, Trincao has failed to hit the ground running at Molineux with only one goal scored in the EFL Cup compared to Hwang’s four goals in the Premier League that have reportedly earned him a permanent deal with the Midlands club.

The Wolves manager has weighed in on the slow start for the 22-year-old;

“Sometimes he needs to understand the game better, how we start. That’s the biggest thing he can learn.

“When he starts, the teams are there and they go until the end of the game. Always with a good tempo and a good rhythm.

“That’s the thing. When you come from outside, you need to adapt.”

The £22.5k-per-week gem will now likely be given the opportunity to take the reigns in the forward line to get a good run of form going in Hwang’s absence, and it would be an excellent chance for the youngster if he starts against Manchester United tonight. After all, he could cause problems for the Manchester side, putting in an impressive performance for the team and the manager.

If he starts, the Portuguese has the ability to get Molineux rocking and the following review from former Braga academy coach Jose Carvalho Araujo explains why:

“He is not so fast or intense but I think he has a little more magic,” Araujo began.

“He was an amazing kid, very skinny. Physically, he was very poor but with the ball he was magic, doing tricks, so skilful.”

Daniel Podence also competes with the Barca loanee for a position on left-wing, and like Hwang, has been more effective in his delivery going forward this season with the 26-year-old scoring two goals and bagging two assists this season. This competition adds even more pressure to Trincao to seize every opportunity given to him by Lage.

Wolves dropped into ninth in the Premier League after Brighton beat Everton 3-2 on Sunday afternoon, but if they could cause an upset at Old Trafford by taking all three points out of their difficult clash, they could steal back 8th and close in on Manchester United in 7th.

In other news: Lage could sign Lewis O’Brien…